Portable, multi-modal Raman and fluorescence spectroscopic platform for point-of-care applications

SignificancePoint-of-care (POC) platforms utilizing optical biosensing strategies can achieve on-site detection of biomarkers to improve the quality of care for patients in low-resource settings.AimWe aimed to develop a portable, multi-modal spectroscopic platform capable of performing Raman and fluorescence measurements from a single sample site.ApproachWe designed the spectroscopic platform in OpticStudio using commercial optical components and built the system on a portable optical breadboard. Two excitation and collection arms were utilized to detect the two optical signals. The multi-modal functionality was validated using ratiometric Raman/fluorescence samples, and the potential utility was demonstrated using a model bioassay for cardiac troponin I.ResultsThe designed spectroscopic platform achieved a spectral resolution of 0.67 ± 0.2 nm across the Raman detection range (660 to 770 nm). The ratiometric Raman/fluorescence samples demonstrated no crosstalk between the two detector arms across a gradient of high molar concentrations. Testing of the model bioassay response showed that the integrated approach improved the linearity of the calibration curve from (R2 = 0.977) for the Raman only and (R2 = 0.972) for the fluorescence only to (R2 = 0.988) for the multi-modal approach.ConclusionThese findings demonstrate the potential impact of a multi-modal POC spectroscopic platform to improve the sensitivity and robustness necessary for biomarker detection.Point-of-care (POC) platforms utilizing optical biosensing strategies can achieve on-site detection of biomarkers to improve the quality of care for patients in low-resource settings.We aimed to develop a portable, multi-modal spectroscopic platform capable of performing Raman and fluorescence measurements from a single sample site.We designed the spectroscopic platform in OpticStudio using commercial optical components and built the system on a portable optical breadboard. Two excitation and collection arms were utilized to detect the two optical signals. The multi-modal functionality was validated using ratiometric Raman/fluorescence samples, and the potential utility was demonstrated using a model bioassay for cardiac troponin I.The designed spectroscopic platform achieved a spectral resolution of 0.67 ± 0.2 nm across the Raman detection range (660 to 770 nm). The ratiometric Raman/fluorescence samples demonstrated no crosstalk between the two detector arms across a gradient of high molar concentrations. Testing of the model bioassay response showed that the integrated approach improved the linearity of the calibration curve from (RThese findings demonstrate the potential impact of a multi-modal POC spectroscopic platform to improve the sensitivity and robustness necessary for biomarker detection.Point-of-care (POC) platforms utilizing optical biosensing strategies can achieve on-site detection of biomarkers to improve the quality of care for patients in low-resource settings.We aimed to develop a portable, multi-modal spectroscopic platform capable of performing Raman and fluorescence measurements from a single sample site.We designed the spectroscopic platform in OpticStudio using commercial optical components and built the system on a portable optical breadboard. Two excitation and collection arms were utilized to detect the two optical signals. The multi-modal functionality was validated using ratiometric Raman/fluorescence samples, and the potential utility was demonstrated using a model bioassay for cardiac troponin I.The designed spectroscopic platform achieved a spectral resolution of 0.67 ± 0.2 nm across the Raman detection range (660 to 770 nm). The ratiometric Raman/fluorescence samples demonstrated no crosstalk between the two detector arms across a gradient of high molar concentrations. Testing of the model bioassay response showed that the integrated approach improved the linearity of the calibration curve from (RThese findings demonstrate the potential impact of a multi-modal POC spectroscopic platform to improve the sensitivity and robustness necessary for biomarker detection.